Path-Q Solar
How should weekend-only electricity use affect a small business solar design?
Answer
Weekend-only operation can reduce direct use of solar generation if the business is closed during much of the array's production time, so the system should be sized from weekend load profiles and the applicable treatment of exports. A smaller system, load shifting, or storage may be more suitable than sizing to roof capacity.
Key points
- Measure electricity use on operating and non-operating days separately.
- Compare weekend load timing with solar production and identify flexible loads.
- Model export value rather than assuming unused weekday production has the same value as on-site use.
- Include seasonal schedules, refrigeration or standby loads, and possible future operating changes.
What it depends on
- Operating days and hours
- Weekend and weekday load profiles
- Rates, demand charges, and export treatment
- Roof capacity, production, storage, and load-shifting options
Risks and trade-offs
- A roof-filled system may produce substantial weekday exports with lower value.
- Storage can improve timing but adds cost, losses, and operational complexity.
- A smaller system may be economical now but less suitable if operating hours expand.
Information you may need
- Interval or daily usage data
- Operating calendar and seasonal schedule
- Major loads that can be shifted to weekends or daylight hours
- Comparable proposals with export and storage assumptions
Your next step
What to do next
Provide operating schedules and interval data and request designs for direct-use, export-heavy, and storage-assisted scenarios.
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